The Marine Corps is fielding the Military Enhancement Kit which gives Marines the tactical advantage by transforming current M500A2 pump-action shotguns into a more compact and versatile weapon, according to the Marine Corps Systems Command. For Marines on a breaching mission, the shotgun is a necessary tool used to breach enemy-held buildings using a minimal amount of force.
The MEK is a ballistic breaching tool — Marines use them to safely shoot locks off doors, providing them entry with minimal use of force. The MEK is designed to augment the M500A2 pump-action shotguns currently used by Marine reconnaissance, security forces, military police, explosive ordnance disposal and special operations units. The MEK has 3 interchangeable buttstock options along with a shorter, vented barrel making it less cumbersome than the standard pump-action shotgun.
"When you're breaching or conducting methods of entry, having the ability to secure the weapon on your body without it becoming cumbersome is important," said Gunnery Sgt. Michael Flor, ballistic breaching course chief and senior instructor at the Methods of Entry School. "The kit allows the weapon to be tailored to the tactical user at the user level."
The use of the MEK also has a financial advantage for the Marine Corps. "By using the MEK with currently-fielded M500A2 shotguns, the Marine Corps only had to buy the kits," said Maj. Paul Gillikin, Special Purpose Weapons team lead in MCSC's Infantry Weapons Systems.
The MEK is currently being distributed to select Marine Corps units.
Mackenzie Wolf is an editorial intern for Military Times.
